Financial Aid & Scholarships
Please visit the Federal Student Aid website for updates on COVID-19.
CARES Act
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act provides emergency assistance to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations resulting from the COVID-19 health crisis. Eligible expenses include but are not limited to food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare.
As a student enrolled at Montana State University Billings during the Fall 2020 semester and one who has completed the Federal Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA), you could be eligible for a CARES Act grant provided through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. Complete the CARES ACT application as soon as possible as this grant can help provide you with some financial relief.
- MSU Billings has signed and returned the Recipient’s Funding Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students and intends to provide at least 50 percent of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) grants directly to students. MSU Billings Chancellor Dan Edelman submitted the signed Certification and Agreement for Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Students on April 14, 2020.
- MSU Billings will receive $2,193,195 in two disbursements. The first of $1,096,975 has been received on May 4, 2020 and is currently offered to eligible students.
- As of May 19, 2020, MUS Billings has awarded 120 students for a total of $81,625 of the first CARES Act allocation.
- As of June 24, 2020- MSUB has awarded 402 students with a total of $270,655 in CARES Act Section 1800 (a)(1) funding. This is an average award per student of $673.27
- As of August 27, 2020- MSUB has awarded 506 students (spring and summer) with a total of $322,655 in CARES Act Section 1800 (a)(1) funding. This is an average award per student of $637.66. In addition, preliminary awarding for the fall term as of this reporting date has an additional $150,000 for 155 students for an average award of $967.74. These will not be disbursed until fall census can confirm enrollment on September 9, 2020. This comprises an actual and anticipated total disbursement 9/6/2020 of $472,655.
- As of October 30, 2020- MSUB has awarded 1299 students (spring, summer and fall) with a total of $819,930 in CARES Act Section 1800 (a)(1) funding. This is an average award per student of $628.12.
- Federal Work Study to SEOG CARES assistance: MSU Billings has awarded 200 students for a total of $77,560 in actual paid students. The earlier posing of $100,000 was reduced to account for student changes/withdrawals, etc.
- MSU Billings has identified 961 FAFSA-eligible students who enrolled for the spring 2020 semester. The first phase of awarding will go to our highest need students with a $0 Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The total number of $0 EFC eligible students is 532. Per federal and state guidelines issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education (OCHE), awards will have a general maximum of $800. Exceptional circumstances will be reviewed on a case by case where higher amounts will be considered.
- As of June 24, 2020 - MSUB has awarded 402 students with a total of $270,655 in CARES Act Section 1800 (a) (1) funding. This is an average award per student of $673.27.
- As of October 30, 2020- the latest HEERF (#3) eligibility spreadsheet identified 524 students for eligibility and awarded 377 students in the amount of $371,400 for an average award of $985.15 per student.
- The MSU Billings awarding process will progress in stages in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education (OCHE) guidelines.
- The awarding priorities will be:
- First Priority: Spring 2020 students- highest need students first, mid-range EFC, then all other FAFSA eligible students.
- Second Priority: Summer 2020 students
- Third Priority: Fall 2020 students
- Fourth Priority: establish criteria if funds are available
- The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act provides emergency assistance to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations resulting from the COVID-19 health crisis. Eligible expenses include but are not limited to food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare.
Apply for MSUB Scholarships
University Cost Comparative (Costs are subject to change) - Printable Version Of University Cost Comparison
Other MT 4 yr. Universities Average
Tuition & Fees - $6,855
Housing & Meal Plan - $8,616
Total - $15,471
MSUB
Tuition & Fees - $6,040
Housing & Meal Plan - $7,070
Best Value - $13,110
Savings
Tuition & Fees - $815
Housing & Meal Plan - $1,546
Best Value - $2,361
SAVINGS OVER 4 YEARS $9,446
Other MT 4 yr. Universities Average
Tuition & Fees - $9,476
Housing & Meal Plan - $8,616
Total - $18,092
MSUB
Tuition & Fees - $8,420
Housing & Meal Plan - $7,070
Best Value - $15,490
Savings
Tuition & Fees - $1,056
Housing & Meal Plan - $1,546
Best Value - $2,602
SAVINGS OVER 4 YEARS $10,408
*Note WUE at MSUB is guaranteed based on residency. Out-of-state students from a non WUE state are eligible for the Explore Montana Scholarship
Other MT 4 yr. Universities Average
Tuition & Fees - $22,611
Housing & Meal Plan - $8,616
Total - $31,227
MSUB
Tuition & Fees - $19,370
Housing & Meal Plan - $7,070
Best Value - $26,440
Savings
Tuition & Fees - $3,241
Housing & Meal Plan - $1,546
Best Value - $4,787
SAVINGS OVER 4 YEARS $19,149
Tuition & Fees - $31,207
Housing & Meal Plan - $9,481
Total - $40,688
MSUB
Tuition & Fees - $6,040
Housing & Meal Plan - $7,070
Best Value - $13,110
Savings
Tuition & Fees - $25,167
Housing & Meal Plan - $2,411
Best Value - $27,578
SAVINGS OVER 4 YEARS $110,312
City College Cost Comparative (Costs are subject to change) - Printable Version Of City College Cost Comparison
Other MT 2 yr. College Average
Tuition & Fees - $4,375
Room & Board - $7,682
Total - $12,057
City College
Tuition & Fees - $3,960
Room & Board - $7,070
Best Value - $11,030
SAVINGS OVER 2 YEARS $2,055
Average of 3 For Profits
Tuition & Fees - $35,542
Books & Supplies - $1,967
Room & Board - $10,274
Total - $47,783
City College
Tuition & Fees - $7,920
Books & Supplies - $3,080
Room & Board - $14,140
Best Value - $25,140
SAVINGS OVER 2 YEARS $22,643
*For profit costs are challenging to find -- many do not have their own housing - but give average costs - books & Supplies are not consistent. Tuition is subject to change. Additional fees may apply. Estimated annual costs are based on 2019-2020 costs. (WyoTech - WY, Pheonix UTI - AZ, Lincoln Tech - CO)
What's New?
File your 2020-2021 FAFSA today! The 2020-2021 FAFSA is now available and MSUB's priority filing date is December 1, 2019. Remember the FAFSA will ask for 2018 tax information (NOT 2019).
The 2020-2021 MSUB General Scholarship Application will open November 1st, 2019 and the priority application date is February 1st, 2020.
Children of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Beginning with the 2018-2019 award year, a Pell-eligible student whose parent or guardian died in the line of duty while performing as a public safety officer is eligible to receive a maximum Pell Grant for the award year for which the determination of eligibility is made. See the scholarship application for more information.